The matter [is] not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, [even] against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
Ver. 21. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.] Spiritually the case is ours, saith a right reverend writer. a Every man's breast is as a city enclosed. Every sin is a traitor that lurketh within those walls. God calleth to us for Sheba's head, neither hath he any quarrel to us for our person, but for our sin. If we love the head of our traitor above the life of our soul, we shall justly perish in the vengeance. We cannot be more willing to part with our sins, than our merciful God is to withdraw his judgments.
a Bp. Hall, Contempl.